Transport for London clears private car hailing app for use in London, while
High Court case over its legality is delayed

Uber, the private driver service that has drawn the ire of Europe’s entrenched taxi operators, has won an early victory in its battle with London’s cabbies, with Transport for London (TfL) clearing it for use.

TfL said on Thursday that Uber is legally able to operate in the capital, knocking away claims from cab driver groups that its corporate structure, which ties it to its European base in Holland, means it is unlicensed.

Uber, which allows users to summon drivers via a smartphone app, has been vehemently opposed by black cab drivers and private hire companies. Last month, 5,000 cabs blocked the streets of central London, protesting over TfL’s reluctance to clamp down on the service.

Cabbies claim that the smartphone software used by Uber to calculate fares qualifies as a taxi meter, use of which is restricted to licensed drivers. TfL has said it does not agree, but has referred the matter to the High Court.

On Thursday, TfL said this referral would have to be delayed, since the Licensed Taxi Drivers Association (LTDA) had filed separate criminal proceedings against six Uber drivers.

The criminal proceedings, which take precedence over TfL’s referral, are likely to take several months longer to reach a conclusion despite the key issue being the same, since they are likely to go through lower courts before reaching the High Court.

In the meantime Uber, which has been valued at $18bn (£10.5bn), will be allowed to continue operating.

Jo Bertram, the company’s UK head, called TfL’s decision “a victory for common sense, technology, innovation, and above all, London” and said Uber would support the drivers being sued by the LTDA.